SUMMER SOCCER
So much has happened/changed since my last post in May... The first, and biggest change has been where and for what team I'm playing this summer. My last post says I was playing in VA Beach with the Hampton Roads Piranhas of the W-League... However, things didn't work out there--mostly due to my schedule with teaching all week, so i couldn't attend practices. So, as this was all coming to light, my best friend Katie was talking to me about the Lancaster Inferno (WPSL) that I played on last year. She said they still didn't have a GK. So, after a week of talking with both coaches, I made the switch to the Inferno. I had been excited to play in a different league and to stay with my awesome host family in VA Beach, but with where I am and where I want to go in my soccer career, I need playing time. So, it was great to be back with the Inferno for Summer 2009!!
INFERNO
Our season started out with 3 strong teams. We lost to Boston Aztecs (5 contracted players with the Boston Breakers) and lost 1-3. And to date, we've scored the only goal against them!! Next up was a challenging weekend in Mass & CT. We handedly defeated NE Mutiny 3-0 through some stellar play all around the field! It was an exciting game! Then, we survived/outplayed SoccerPlus CT 3-2. A great weekend for our team!
We beat CDSA 4-0 at home, then beat TSC Maryland 2-0 on the road. We then hosted Maryland a week later and gave up a late goal to tie them 1-1. The next day, we hosted the Philly Liberty, with sole possession of 4th place on the line. We beat them 1-0! Two days later, we had a huge game hosting the undefeated Long Island Fury. We were down 0-2 at half, and came back to tie them 2-2 on some great passing, possession and finishing!!!
With only 8 available team members, we used the grateful help of 4 guest players to persevere and defeat CDSA, away, on the 4th of July, by a final score of 0-3. THANK YOU, GUEST PLAYERS FOR HELPING TO SAVE OUR SEASON!!!
So now, with one regular season game left (@ AC Diablos on July 12, 3-4-2), we are currently sitting in 3rd place with a record of 6-1-2. The top 8 teams from our East Division go to the East Division playoffs, with the top 4 teams hosting the first-round game. After winning the inter-division playoffs, we would go to the WPSL Final Four held in Long Island, NY in August. So let's keep rolling!!!
TEACHING
With the unexpected success of my WPS tryouts with the Freedom this past Feb/March, I've decided to pursue my soccer dream of playing professionally. To do this, I've decided to not teach next year at all. I'm going to look for a job around H'burg for the next year or so. In the meantime, I'm going to be coaching a club team this fall, and training for tryouts with a WPS team for next year's season. With the addition of Philly Independence and the Atlanta Beat next season, there are more opportunities, and I'm going to give it a go!
WOMEN'S PROFESSIONAL SOCCER
The inaugural season of WPS has been great to witness and watch! Attendance has been averaging over 5,000 fans each game, and the level of play is superb! While it's annoying, it's been great for all the teams (except the superior LA SOL) to be defeating each other on any given night. Nothing is expected and the action keeps me on the edge of my seat!
The two greatest aspects of the season for me have been 1) going to MD to cheer on the Wash. Freedom in person 4 times now! and 2) watching the games on FSC each Sunday night at 6pm. To be able to turn on the tv and watch the "big names" (national team players) playing with and against each other, and to see the "big college names" (names i've heard mostly thru ncaa tourney runs) playing with and against each other as well, has been great! And of course, having had the opportunity to play with the Freedom for a week, it's been fun watching them develop, gell and play together!
Go Freedom!!!
CLOSING...
So my weeks are busy with living in VA, traveling to PA for practices and games each week, and with trying to find a job or two for the fall/winter/spring. I have put on over 17,000 miles on my new 2005 Mazda3 (woohoo!!!) since buying it in January, and am MORE THAN READY for a week-long stay in VA this week... an extended trip to the beach with Katie (fri-tues) with our last regular season game Sun night nearby... and then a full week in PA with our playoff game being that Sat, July 18th. Can't wait!!!
CURRENTLY READING...
"The 13th Juror" by John Lescroart
"Plain Truth" by Jodi Picoult
"Coaching the Mental Game: Leadership Philosophies and Strategies for Peak Performance in Sports--and Everyday Life" by H. A. Dorfman
Monday, July 6, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
WPS is taking off!
The WPS (Women's Pro Soccer) is really taking off!! I absolutely look forward to Sunday nights when I get to turn on the TV (well, at a friend's house) and catch a great game of soccer on each week! And, every now and then, going up to DC to see the Freedom in action!
Last week's game--Freedom v FC Gold Pride--was absolutely amazing! From goalkeeper saves, to possession, to attacking, to all the goals!!! Definitely an on-the-edge-of-your-seat type of game! Congrats to the Freedom for earning their first win!!!! And on a personal note, it was so incredible to see Kati Jo Spisak playing in goal! To think that I trained with her and now she's playing over Briana Scurry (with all due respect, of course)... it's just a true example that the "little people" get their chances! All the best to KJ : )
And this week's game was just as riveting! First, the game showcased the winless/scoreless St. Louis Athletica vs. the freshly-first-win Freedom. Of course, my allegiance was with the Freedom, but I was really hoping that the Athletica could score a goal. Fortunately, I got to witness this game in person, with my soccer pops, Phil : ), and you can just ask him what I said: "I'd love to see Athletica score a goal, but then it'd be even better if we scored 5... and won!" Well, the Athletica did score a goal, x3, but the Freedom came storming back and tied it 3-3 to end the game. World-class goals by each team! Some great saves by both KJ and Solo (my favorite part of any game!!)! I really hope Daniela is okay. Praying it's not an ACL...
Well, this coming weekend, it's Sky Blue FC @ Chicago Red Stars. 6pm on FSC. Be there or be sad when you miss all the exciting top-level action!
Washington Freedom: www.washingtonfreedom.com/dc
WPS: www.womensprosoccer.com
EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT, 6PM ON FOX SOCCER CHANNEL (FSC)
*And then you'll have to watch the W-League Championship game on FSC on Fri or Sat, August 7 or 8 to see me playing in goal for the Hampton Roads Piranhas, and beating the other team to win it all : )
Hampton Roads Piranhas: www.hrpiranhas.com
W-League: http://wleague.uslsoccer.com/
Schedule: http://www.uslsoccer.com/schedules/2009/13598774.html
Last week's game--Freedom v FC Gold Pride--was absolutely amazing! From goalkeeper saves, to possession, to attacking, to all the goals!!! Definitely an on-the-edge-of-your-seat type of game! Congrats to the Freedom for earning their first win!!!! And on a personal note, it was so incredible to see Kati Jo Spisak playing in goal! To think that I trained with her and now she's playing over Briana Scurry (with all due respect, of course)... it's just a true example that the "little people" get their chances! All the best to KJ : )
And this week's game was just as riveting! First, the game showcased the winless/scoreless St. Louis Athletica vs. the freshly-first-win Freedom. Of course, my allegiance was with the Freedom, but I was really hoping that the Athletica could score a goal. Fortunately, I got to witness this game in person, with my soccer pops, Phil : ), and you can just ask him what I said: "I'd love to see Athletica score a goal, but then it'd be even better if we scored 5... and won!" Well, the Athletica did score a goal, x3, but the Freedom came storming back and tied it 3-3 to end the game. World-class goals by each team! Some great saves by both KJ and Solo (my favorite part of any game!!)! I really hope Daniela is okay. Praying it's not an ACL...
Well, this coming weekend, it's Sky Blue FC @ Chicago Red Stars. 6pm on FSC. Be there or be sad when you miss all the exciting top-level action!
Washington Freedom: www.washingtonfreedom.com/dc
WPS: www.womensprosoccer.com
EVERY SUNDAY NIGHT, 6PM ON FOX SOCCER CHANNEL (FSC)
*And then you'll have to watch the W-League Championship game on FSC on Fri or Sat, August 7 or 8 to see me playing in goal for the Hampton Roads Piranhas, and beating the other team to win it all : )
Hampton Roads Piranhas: www.hrpiranhas.com
W-League: http://wleague.uslsoccer.com/
Schedule: http://www.uslsoccer.com/schedules/2009/13598774.html
Thursday, April 16, 2009
First-ever Win in PCHS History!!!!
I am so incredibly proud of the boys' and girls' soccer teams at Page! The boys began the night with a bang as they quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Luray! They went on to post their first tie of the season, 2-2! They played hard. They played with purpose. And they played as a team!!
And my girls brought home Page County High School's first-ever win and shutout!!!!! We beat Luray 2-0! The girls played with such confidence, determination and passion! I couldn't be more proud! : ) There wasn't one star for us, either. I can't start singling out one person's exceptional play tonight, because I'd have to mention how each player raised her level to accomplish this win! Every single person on our team (even the two who unfortunately had to miss this game) contributed to this win... with their high work rate. their commitment to the team. their zest for learning how to play. their unselfishness. and with their collective goal of being aggressive!
Go Panthers!!!!!
And my girls brought home Page County High School's first-ever win and shutout!!!!! We beat Luray 2-0! The girls played with such confidence, determination and passion! I couldn't be more proud! : ) There wasn't one star for us, either. I can't start singling out one person's exceptional play tonight, because I'd have to mention how each player raised her level to accomplish this win! Every single person on our team (even the two who unfortunately had to miss this game) contributed to this win... with their high work rate. their commitment to the team. their zest for learning how to play. their unselfishness. and with their collective goal of being aggressive!
Go Panthers!!!!!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Women's Professional Soccer plays Inaugural Match today!!!!
I am so beyond excited for the return of professional women's soccer in the USA!! Today's inaugural game will feature the two biggest stars in the game today as the Washington Freedom travel to LA SOL. Marta v. Abby. Women's Pro Soccer v. the world. History in the making!!!
Of course, I keep saying, "we" are going out to play the LA SOL, but that's just cuz I know my girls : ) It's going to be so surreal watching them play, knowing that I trained right along side of them, pushing them, encouraging them, and making them better. Wow! I'll definitely be wearing my Freedom shirt today as I'm watching the game at a friend's house!!
GO FREEDOM!!!!! and GO WPS!!!!
Of course, I keep saying, "we" are going out to play the LA SOL, but that's just cuz I know my girls : ) It's going to be so surreal watching them play, knowing that I trained right along side of them, pushing them, encouraging them, and making them better. Wow! I'll definitely be wearing my Freedom shirt today as I'm watching the game at a friend's house!!
GO FREEDOM!!!!! and GO WPS!!!!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Making History at Page Co High School!!!
Wow! What a rush of emotions today!
Today... March 17, 2009... history was made at Page Co High School. We played our very first soccer game!!! The girls hosted non-district foe Mt. Carmel and played sooooo well!!! There are not enough words to describe how I feel about how we played today, and what this big step means for Page Co Public Schools!
Coming in, we had lost our two scrimmages to Luray (don't worry, we'll get 'em twice this season!) and Madison. And the latter game was not so pretty, but there were bright spots. So, with a week to prepare for Mt. Carmel, we went on the defensive, learned how to keep our opponent in front of us, and how to protect the ball. Our goalkeepers also got some great training (by your's truly!) which was the first step in the right direction!
Let me just put it this way... compared to how we played last Tuesday, we were 100x better tonight! Though we didn't get to score a goal or win the game, I really hope the girls were pleased with their effort (only 12 players available today), excited about the future, and that they had fun!! I AM SOOOO PROUD OF MY GIRLS!!!
----
The rest of the week holds practices and hopefully catching the boys' game at Broadway tomorrow night. Then, Saturday is some needed "girl" time with some of the greatest gals (and guy) I teach with, before heading to VA Beach Saturday night in preparation for Sunday's 10am tryout with the Hampton Roads Piranhas of the W-League (semi-pro). Before you know it, Monday comes, bringing on a new week filled with endless possibilities!!!
~Joyful
PS. (for my girls) Dream Big. Persist. Trust. Do it Right!
Today... March 17, 2009... history was made at Page Co High School. We played our very first soccer game!!! The girls hosted non-district foe Mt. Carmel and played sooooo well!!! There are not enough words to describe how I feel about how we played today, and what this big step means for Page Co Public Schools!
Coming in, we had lost our two scrimmages to Luray (don't worry, we'll get 'em twice this season!) and Madison. And the latter game was not so pretty, but there were bright spots. So, with a week to prepare for Mt. Carmel, we went on the defensive, learned how to keep our opponent in front of us, and how to protect the ball. Our goalkeepers also got some great training (by your's truly!) which was the first step in the right direction!
Let me just put it this way... compared to how we played last Tuesday, we were 100x better tonight! Though we didn't get to score a goal or win the game, I really hope the girls were pleased with their effort (only 12 players available today), excited about the future, and that they had fun!! I AM SOOOO PROUD OF MY GIRLS!!!
----
The rest of the week holds practices and hopefully catching the boys' game at Broadway tomorrow night. Then, Saturday is some needed "girl" time with some of the greatest gals (and guy) I teach with, before heading to VA Beach Saturday night in preparation for Sunday's 10am tryout with the Hampton Roads Piranhas of the W-League (semi-pro). Before you know it, Monday comes, bringing on a new week filled with endless possibilities!!!
~Joyful
PS. (for my girls) Dream Big. Persist. Trust. Do it Right!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)